Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental and human rights organization founded and registered on 17th November 1987 under the Societies Ordinance Cap 337 of 1954 with registration number (SO 6763). In 2004, the association complied with the 2002, NGO Act of the United Republic of Tanzania. In 2007, TAMWA was also registered in Zanzibar as TAMWA Zanzibar under Society Act No. 6 of 1995.

Currently the Association has over 100 members with a minimum qualification of Diploma in Journalism and three years’ work experience in the media industry. Members are working in public and private media houses as editors, reporters, programme managers, producers, public relations and communication officers.

TAMWA in collaboration with other like-minded organisations, has contributed variously to the perceived transformation of the Tanzanian society including the realization of the following:

The government enacted The Sexual Offences (Special Provision) Act (SOSPA) 1998 which criminalize carnal knowledge with a girl below 18 years and for the first time criminalized FGM for a female below 18 years. Feminism Activism Coalition (FemAct), a gender movement bringing together more than 50 NGOs country wide, appointed TAMWA to lead the campaign for the enactment of the said law.

The repeal of The Land Ordinance of 1923 and the enactment of the Land Act of 1999 and the Village Land Act of 1999, all of which reinforced the right of women to own land. For the first time in the history of the country, the village Land Act of 1999, provided for the participation of women in land dispute resolution organs.

In the late 1990s, broke the silence on killing of elderly women due to witchcraft beliefs. Today witchcraft killing is a national agenda.

The repeal in 2005 of the Zanzibar Spinster, Widows and Female Divorcee Protection Act No 4 of 1985 which sentenced to jail for two years, women who fell pregnant out of wedlock.

Empowerment programs increased number of women in parliament from 20 percent in 2000 to 35 percent in 2010 and for the first time a woman became Speaker of the National Assembly. The number of Local Government Women Councillors also increased from about 1, 200 (33%) in 2005 to 1,740 (about 35%) in 2010.

TAMWA Vision:

A Peaceful Tanzanian society which respects human rights from a gender perspective.

TAMWA Mission:

To advocate for women and children's rights by conducting awareness raising activities for cultural, policy and legal changes/transformations in the society through the use of media.

TAMWA's Core Values

Transparency

Accountability

Equal partnership

Diversity

Observation of human rights

TAMWA is a Corruption-Free Zone

TAMWA is committed to ensuring that her policies, procedures and practices are consistent with ethical practices and conduct.

TAMWA defines corruption as the misuse of entrusted power for private gain and this include offering and receiving bribes, blackmail, embezzlement, conflict of interest and nepotism.

Report corruption or fraud if:

You suspect corruption at the Secretariat and/or among members of TAMWA.

You are aware of that funds managed by TAMWA are not being managed in accordance with what has been agreed.

You are aware of serious misconduct by a member of TAMWA staff.

All reported suspicions are received and managed by TAMWA's investigation team, E-mail:
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